5th ANNUALGIFTING GUIDE - HOLIDAY SEASON 2025

“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.”  Charles Dudley Warner

Please let this FIFTH ANNUAL GIFTING GUIDE of MILES PEDDLED (MP) help all LOYAL SUBSCRIBERS (LS) select the perfect gift for the cycling enthusiast in your life.  In the alternative, you may wish to treat yourself to a new bike or accessory given all the “Black Friday” sales.  Playlist suggestion:  GIFTS FOR ME by Meghan Trainor.

Before we get to the subject matter of this Month’s edition, Management has one postscript and one wonderful announcement.

First to the postscript.  As all LS will recall, the amazing Autumn 2025 Redemption Edition of MP described a harrowing bike expedition along the Tortolita Preserve trail.  Many caring LS inquired as to the health of the Chairman of the Board (COB) and Lucky Leprechaun (LL) given what transpired on the trip.  Management is happy to report that their physical health has returned.  Unfortunately, their cycling confidence has been shattered.  To help restore their confidence, the Mad Viking (MV) has volunteered to take them on a fat tire winter lesson/ride.  Stay tuned for the results.  Playlist suggestion:  TEACHER, TEACHER by .38 Special.

Now to the wonderful announcement.  Wonder Woman (WW) and Master MP (MMP) are excited to announce that their middle son Big Al and his beautiful and wonderful spouse Justine are expecting their second child.  Little Lucy will soon have a little sister.  Playlist suggestion:  LITTLE SISTER by Kacey Musgraves.

Now to the gift giving.  Management will be making recommendations in two categories, those being bikes and bike accessories.  Past giving guides are still available at:  https://www.milespeddled.com.  Most of the prior recommendations are still good choices.

I. BIKES

The bike recommendations will be broken down into three categories which are:  commuting and trekking; road bikes; and, mountain bikes.  Each category will have both an analog and electric bike recommendation.  All recommendations will be at or below the $2,500.00 mark.  This will allow the LS of MP to save some money and help pay for their annual subscription to MP.  Finally, when choosing to purchase a bike “shop local.”  It is always best to support a nearby brick and mortar bike shop in case you need any service to the bike.

A.  COMMUTING AND TREKKING

The bikes in this category are your “do it all” bikes and can be used for commuting, exercising and light trail riding.

1. Specialized Cirrus and Cirrus X

This analog bike comes in both a step-over and step-through version.  Prices range from approximately $550.00 to $2,000.00.  Management recommends you consider the Cirrus 4.0 normally priced at $1,600.00 now on sale for $1,000.00.  This is an aluminum alloy bike with a carbon fiber fork, hydraulic brakes and weighs less than 24 pounds.

2. Velotric Discover 2

This ebike comes in only a step-through version but also comes fully equipped with front and rear fenders, and a rear rack.  It is the perfect ebike for casual riders who want to tool around the neighborhood, run errands, and get a little exercise while doing so.  It has a max battery range of 75 miles with a top speed of 28 mph.  Normal price approximately $2,000.00 now on sale for $1,850.00.

B. ROAD BIKES

1. Trek Domane Aluminum

This analog aluminum lightweight (21-23 pounds) bike only comes in a step-over version with drop handlebars.   It features a carbon fork and numerous mounts so that the bike can be customized.  Prices range from $1,200.00 to $2,200.00.

2. Urtopia Carbon One Pro Ebike

As the name implies, this is a carbon fiber ebike.  It only comes in a step-over version which weighs 37 pounds which is extremely lightweight for an ebike.  The battery range is up to 80 miles with a top speed of 25 mph.  The normal price is $3,000.00 but it is currently on sale for $2,200.00.  In addition, it is currently being sold with fenders, kickstand, rear rack, and air pump included at no charge. 

C. MOUNTAIN BIKES

Mountain bikes come in many different variations, for example, full suspension versus hard tail (front suspension only); 27-1/2 versus 29-inch diameter tires; and trail versus cross-country.  If you are searching for a full suspension 29-inch cross-country bike, these can become expensive very fast.  Most riders, however, do not need all of the bells and whistles of a full suspension cross-country mountain bike.  Rather, a simple hard tail will do the job and this will be the recommendation of Management.  There is a wonderful article in Bicycling magazine entitled Rear Suspension- Overkill?  These hard tails bring the fun!

One further comment before the recommendations.  As noted above, Management’s recommendation is to buy local.  This is particularly true with respect to a mountain bike.  Given the beating that they will take on the trail, inevitably there will be breakdowns.  Unless you are a handy dandy bike repairman like MV, you will need your local bike shop to make the repairs.  Along these same lines, it is always good to buy a name-brand mountain bike such as Specialized, Trek or Giant because if you are away from home taking on a trail and have a breakdown,  there will be a bike shop nearby who can make the repairs.

1. Specialized Rockhopper Expert & Giant Talon 1

Both of these bikes are great entry level hard tails with solid components for a very friendly price of around $1,000.00.  The aforementioned article in Bicycling magazine provides a great description of each bike.  Do not overbuy, you can always upgrade if you fall in love with mountain biking.  By the way, the gentlemen on the Tortolita Preserve expedition were riding Giant Talon 1s and the bikes held up despite the beating they were given by these inexperienced riders.

2. Aventon Ramblas & Velotric Summit 1

A full suspension electric mountain bike can be very expensive, for example, the Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Expert will run you about $10,800.00.  While this is a great bike, it is overkill for most riders. 

Management suggests that its LS consider a more modest bike such as the Aventon Ramblas or the Velotric Summit 1. Both of these hard tails can handle most trails.  As stated by Miles Peddled Actual Intelligence (MPAI): “The Aventon Ramblas is more of a performance-oriented mountain bike with a mid-drive motor and higher end components, while the Velotric Summit 1 is a more affordable and versatile ebike with a rear hub motor suited for both trails and commuting.  Choose the Ramblas for aggressive trail riding and upgrade ability and choose the Summit for value and a wider range of use especially if you need a higher payload or throttle functionality.”

There is a great video by Scott Hardesty, who is from Chicago, in which he compares the Ramblas and Summit.  Check out his video on YouTube from June 11, 2024.

Currently, the Ramblas is on sale for $2,500.00 whereas the Summit 1 is on sale for $1,800.00.

II. CYCLING ACCESSORIES

Now that you picked the perfect bike for the cycling enthusiast in your universe, it is time to augment the selection with some nice bike accessories.  Below are some recommendations to consider.

A. HELMET

Wearing a helmet when biking is mandatory.  Please be forewarned that if you choose not to wear a helmet there is a high probability that you will lose your subscription to MP.

When picking a helmet, always select one that has the MIPS designation.  MIPS stands for:  Multidirectional Impact Protection System.  Numerous studies have shown that helmets that incorporate MIPS provide the highest level of protection.

There are many brands which carry the MIPS designation, but if you are looking for something a little special and unique to give as a gift consider the Portland, Oregon brand Nutcase.  They make unique and funky bike helmets with MIPS.  They became so popular that they sold out and shut down their website but they are still available on Amazon.  Management is partial to the NUTCASE Vio which has the MIPS designation and integrated LED lights in both the front and back.  On Amazon the price is approximately $110.00.  Do not skimp on the head protection.

B. SHOES

When choosing bike shoes you must make a decision between “clipping in” or flats.  Management does not like to be held down, hence the recommendation to go with flats.

For excellent mountain biking shoes check out Five Ten.  They come in many different styles and colors.  Pick the one that suits your riding needs.

C.  STOCKING STUFFERS

There are many small items that can be purchased for your cycling partner that would be greatly appreciated such as gloves, socks, and glasses.  In the sunglass department check out the Tifosi website for many different styles and colors.  Currently the Alliant, which has light night fototec, is marked down from $80.00 to $50.00.

In the spirit of giving, Management has chipped in to buy the COB a pair of padded bike pants with pouch protection.  Playlist suggestion:  I PULLED MY GROIN by Arrogant Worms.

Now to the Trivia/Quiz section.  Obviously, the questions will be about gift giving.  The answers will be in the Postscript section.  Playlist suggestion:  KIND AND GENEROUS by Natalie Merchant.

Note: one of the questions is a repeat from the 2024 4^th Annual Gifting Guide. A $1.00 price will be given to the first LS who identifies the repeat question. Place the answer in the comment section.

1. In the United States what is the most popular color of wrapping paper?  Green; gold; silver; or red.

2. What percentage of U.S. business profits are derived from holiday season gift buying?  20%; 40%; 50%; or 70%.

3. Which percentage of people do not like the gift that they receive?  20%; 40%; 50%; or 70%.

4. Which U.S. region gives the most gifts?  Northeast; Southeast; Midwest; Mountain West; or Pacific Coast.

5. What do the Japanese and Irish have in common regarding gifting etiquette?  A drink of whiskey; a kiss; a refusal; or a hug.

TEASE TIME:  The next edition of MP, which will come out sometime in the Spring of 2026, will be entitled PEDDLING AND PICKLEBALL.  This highly anticipated edition of MP will outline several bike routes that can be combined with a robust round of pickleball.  Playlist suggestion:  THE PICKLEBALL SONG by Mrs. Kate Carpenter.

All good things, and this edition of MP, must come to an end.  Management wishes all of its LS a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and laughter.  See you in 2026 but until then, remember to R, R & R!

POSTSCRIPT:

Answers to Trivia/Quiz Section:

1.         Wrapping Paper:

The most popular color of wrapping paper is red.

2.         U.S. Business Profits:

U.S. retailers make most of their profits during the holiday season, approximately 70%.

3.         Percentage of Sourpusses:

Approximately 50% of gift recipients do not like their gift.  The COB is not in this group.  He has already sent management a thank-you note for the padded pants with the pouch protector.

4.         Region:

The answer is obvious – Midwesterners give the most gifts during the holiday season.

5.         Japanese and Irish:

It is common etiquette for both the Japanese and the Irish to politely refuse gifts before accepting them.  After refusing the gift it is also common for both the Japanese and Irish to take a shot of whiskey, hug and then kiss.